Switch-point filler-block



F. H. DORSEY. SWITCH POINT FILLER BLOCK. APPLICATION FILED DEC.2ZI 1920.

Patented Mar. 8, 19,21.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SWITCH-POINT FILLER-BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed December 27, 1920. Serial No. 433,109.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK H. DoRsEY, citizenof the United States, and resident of Kansas City, county of Jackson,State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inSwitch-Point Filler- Blocks, of which the following is a completespecification.

This invention relates to filler blocks for switch points, and has forits object to produce a support for the heel of a switch .point adaptedto serve as a permanent blocking therefor, and also dispensing with theone of the angle splices commonly used at this point.

Heretofore devices of this character have been objectionable as holeshad to be bored through the main line rail, thus weakening the same. A.still further objection was the fact that when the bolts were passedthrough the main line rail and also extended through a fillerblock, therunning or creeping of the rail was liable to shear the bolts and causethe. formation of a lip between the switch point and the rail. In casethe bolts were not sheared by the creeping of the rail, such creepingwill pull or push the frog out of position, creating a very dangerouscondition.

\Vith the device of the invention these objections are not found, as itis not necessary to bore holes in the main rail and the latter istherefore free to run or creep, which is especially true with railsforming the main line of a double track system, or with rails located ona grade. It has also been found that with this device the throwing of aswitch is more easily effected than with the ordinary construction.

With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel andpeculiar features of construction and organization of parts ashereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be' fullyunderstood, reference is tobe had to the accompanying drawing, in-which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the filler block;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a main line rail and switch point, illustratingthe filler block in operative position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the heel portion of the switch; and

Fig. 4; is a cross section on the line IV IV of Fig. 3.

In the said drawing, where like reference characters identifycorresponding parts in all of the views, 1 is a main line rail, adaptedto rest on and be spiked to the ties 2, as customary, and 3 is a switchpoint adapted for operation through the connection. At the heel of theswitch point 3 where it is secured to a branch line rail 5, a fillerblock 6, perforated as at 7 in line with the perforations in the ends ofthe branch line rail and the switch point, is inserted between saidparts and the main line rail, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be notedthat the filler block is so formed that it shall rest on the baseflanges of the rails, and that its sides shall abut the web portionsthereof. A groove 8 is formed in its upper side for clearing the flangesof the wheels passing over the block, the groove forming ears 9 whichabut the under sides of the tread portions of the rails, as illustratedin Fig. 4.

It will be noted that the ends of the perforations in the filler blockare provided with countersunk portions 10 of suflicient size to receivecertain bolt heads, as hereinafter described, both ends of the openings7 being countersunk in order that the filler block may be used witheither the right or left hand rail, that is, at either side of theswitch.

Against the opposite side of the branch line rail 5 is an angle spliceor clamping plate 11 with perforations alined with those of the switchpoint and branch rail 5, the

upper side of said plate abutting the underside of the tread portion ofthe rail and the lower side resting on the base of the rail andoverlapping the edge of the same and engaged by rail spikes asillustrated. The four parts branch line rail, switch point, filler blockand clamping plate are held in position by means of bolts 12 fittingtherethrough, it being noted that the heads 13 of the bolts fit incountersunk portions 10 of the filler block, and are held thereinagainst turning movement. No angle splice is required at the outer sideof the heel of the switch, the block 6 fulfilling all the requirementsof such a splice.

It will be noted that with the invention employed as described, the mainline rail will act as an abutment for the filler block and therefore forthe heel of the switch point, although the said rail is not fastened tothe block, and is free for running or creeping in either direction,without being accompanied by the shearing off of bolt heads. At

,erly falling within the same time the main line rail is not weakened inany way by the drilling of bolt holes therethrough, and the laborincident to such drilling operation is eliminated. The contour andarrangement of the filler block is such as to provide an efficientbracing and supporting structure for the switch point, serving toholdthe same in place and preventing any lateral rocking or giving ofthe ball or tread portion of the switch point. In addition to theseadvantages, as already indioated, the operation of the switch point ismaterially facilitated on account of the fact that the invention employsno bolts or other connections between the switch point and the outsideof main rail, from which it is also apparent that the strain on theparts incident to the operation of the switch is materially reduced.

From the above description, it will be ap parent that I have produced adevice of the character described, which possesses all of the featuresof advantage set forth as desirable in the statement of the objects ofthe invention, and while I have described and illustrated the preferredembodiment of the same, I reserve the right to all changes propthespirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair ofrails and a switch point, and a filler block abutting the side of one ofsaid rails and secured only to the other rail and said switch point.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a mainline rail, a branch line rail and a switch point and a filler blockseparating said main rail from said branch rail and switch point andsecured at its opposite ends to the heel of the switch point and to saidbranch rail respectively, said block being unsecured to said main rail.

3. In a device of the'character described, a main line rail, a branchline rail and a switch point separating said main rail from said branchrail and switch point and a filler block provided with bolt openingscountersunk on the face thereof abuttingsaid main rail, said block beingsecured to the branch rail and switch pointby means of bolts hav ingtheir heads embedded in the countersunk portions of said openings.

4. In a device of the characterdescribed, a main line rail, a branchline rail and a switch point a filler block separating said main railfrom said branch rail and switch point and provided with bolt'openingshaving countersunk portions on the face thereof abutting saidmain rail,a perforated clamping plate cooperating with said block to connect saidbranch rail and switch point, and bolts having their heads rigidly heldin the countersunk portions of said openings FRANK H. DORSEY.

the upper face of said a

